Brightline Gives Timeline For Highspeed Rail To Disney World
Brightline has revealed a potential timetable for the completion of its high-speed rail connection to Walt Disney World.
According to a recent post in the Orlando Business Journal, the Miami-based company revealed in its November ridership report that it wants to start service on the connection during the second half of 2023! If you were following along with MickeyBlog you’ll know that back in November the company announced a joint agreement with Disney that they would develop and operate a station at Disney Springs.
According to the Orlando Business Journal, a specific location for the station at Disney Springs and the timeline is dependent on “right of way acquisition, permitting, final design and engineering,” according to the company’s report.
Brightline said in a statement, “The station at Disney Springs will provide a fast, convenient and enjoyable alternative to driving or flying for the millions of trips made by guests traveling between South Florida and Orlando to visit the Walt Disney World Resort each year.” It continues, “As part of a future planned extension to Tampa, the station at Disney Springs could also serve the millions of annual visitors to Disney and Orlando originating from the Tampa area.”
Brightline has said that they intend to fund the project with equity, grants, subordinated obligations and up to $200 million of Permitted Additional Senior Indebtedness. The company also held firm in its belief that the project has signifcant potential to increase ridership. Engineering and design work for the project started this past February.
A memorandum of understanding with Disney was entered back in November of 2019.
Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle had this to say of the collaboration, “We’re excited to work with Brightline as they pursue the potential development of a train station at Walt Disney World Resort, a project that would support our local economy and offer a bold, forward-looking transportation solution for our community and guests.”
Brightline is expected to complete its 170-mile $2.7 billion expansion from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport by the end of 2022. The company said in November that this leg of the project is about 45% complete. The Disney Springs station would be the first phase of plans to connect to Tampa.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further updates about this and other Walt Disney World related news!
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Source: Orlando Business Journal